---
title: "Codex (ChatGPT Desktop)"
url: "/docs/proxy/client_setup/codex_chatgpt_desktop"
canonical_url: "https://docs.litellm.ai/docs/proxy/client_setup/codex_chatgpt_desktop"
type: "docs"
last_updated: "2026-10-12"
summary: "Select Codex in the ChatGPT desktop app. It reads the same ~/.codex/config.toml as the Codex CLI, so the desktop and CLI can share a LiteLLM connection."
related:
  - "/docs/proxy/client_setup/claude_desktop"
  - "/docs/proxy/client_setup/codex_cli"
---
# Codex (ChatGPT Desktop)

> Index of all LiteLLM docs: https://docs.litellm.ai/llms.txt


Select **Codex** in the [ChatGPT desktop app](https://openai.com/chatgpt/download/). It reads the same `~/.codex/config.toml` as the [Codex CLI](./codex_cli.md), so the desktop and CLI can share a LiteLLM connection.

These settings configure the Codex side of the app, which reads `~/.codex/config.toml`. Regular ChatGPT chats in the app are not configured by that file and do not go through LiteLLM

The same `model_catalog_json` setting applies to the app; see [Model metadata for custom aliases](./codex_cli.md#model-metadata-for-custom-aliases)

These instructions configure Codex's local model provider and MCP servers. Screenshots show ChatGPT Desktop 26.917.51856 on Linux; menu labels can differ by app version. Complete the app's onboarding if prompted before selecting Codex.

[Image: ChatGPT Desktop mode switcher with Codex selected]

## Quick reference

| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Config file | `~/.codex/config.toml` (shared with the CLI) |
| `base_url` | `<LITELLM_PROXY_BASE_URL>/v1` (e.g. `http://localhost:4000/v1`) |
| Provider key | Your LiteLLM [virtual key](../virtual_keys.md), read from the env var named in `env_key`, or a `lite auth print-token` command (see [Codex CLI SSO](./codex_cli.md#sign-in-with-litellm-sso)) |
| MCP endpoint | `<LITELLM_PROXY_BASE_URL>/<server_name>/mcp` |
| MCP auth | The same virtual key, read from the env var named in `bearer_token_env_var` |

## LLM setup

### 1. Add LiteLLM as a model provider

Open **Settings -> Configuration -> Open config.toml**, or edit `~/.codex/config.toml` directly, and add a provider block pointing at your gateway's Responses API endpoint. This is identical to the [CLI setup](./codex_cli.md#llm-setup):

```toml title="~/.codex/config.toml"
model = "claude-sonnet-5"
model_provider = "litellm"

[model_providers.litellm]
name = "LiteLLM"
base_url = "http://localhost:4000/v1"
env_key = "LITELLM_API_KEY"
wire_api = "responses"
```

Replace `claude-sonnet-5` with a model name configured on your gateway.

[Image: Codex Configuration settings with the Open config.toml link]

Desktop apps may not inherit variables exported in your terminal. Add your LiteLLM virtual key to `~/.codex/.env` before launching the app:

```dotenv title="~/.codex/.env"
LITELLM_API_KEY=sk-<your-virtual-key>
```

Replace the placeholder with your virtual key, keep this file private, and restart the app after changing it. An existing macOS setup using `launchctl setenv LITELLM_API_KEY <your-key>` can continue supplying the variable that way.

You can skip `.env` by using the [`auth` command](./codex_cli.md#sign-in-with-litellm-sso) in place of `env_key`, because the app runs the same helper

### 2. Launch Codex in ChatGPT Desktop

Open the ChatGPT desktop app and select **Codex** in the mode switcher. Codex reads the `litellm` provider from `config.toml` and uses `LITELLM_API_KEY` for gateway requests. Start a new task.

### 3. Verify

Run a task, then check the Admin UI under **Logs** or **Usage**; the request should be attributed to your virtual key.

To use a different gateway model, update `model` in `config.toml` and start a new task.

## MCP setup

### 1. Configure the gateway server

MCP is configured in the same `~/.codex/config.toml`, so the [CLI's MCP setup](./codex_cli.md#mcp-setup) applies unchanged. Add:

```toml title="~/.codex/config.toml"
[mcp_servers.litellm]
url = "http://localhost:4000/my_mcp_server/mcp"
bearer_token_env_var = "LITELLM_API_KEY"
```

where `my_mcp_server` matches a key under `mcp_servers:` in your gateway config and the key has access to that server. `LITELLM_API_KEY` must be available to the app as described above. Restart ChatGPT Desktop after changing the configuration or `.env` file.

You can inspect this entry under **Settings -> Plugins -> MCPs** in the captured version. The **Add MCP server** form also accepts the URL and **Bearer token env var** shown above.

[Image: Codex MCP server form with a LiteLLM server URL and LITELLM_API_KEY bearer token environment variable]

The screenshots use a gateway server named `deepwiki`; substitute your registered server name.

### 2. Verify the connection in the app

Open **Settings -> Plugins -> MCPs** and confirm that `litellm` is enabled. Some versions expose this list directly under **Settings -> MCP servers**.

[Image: Codex MCP settings listing the enabled LiteLLM server]

Start a task that calls a read-only tool from your server, approve it if prompted, and verify that it returns a result.

[Image: Codex displaying a DeepWiki tool result returned through LiteLLM]

See the [MCP configuration reference](../../mcp_config_reference.md) for endpoint and authentication options.

## Next steps

[Codex CLI](./codex_cli.md) shares this config file. See also [LiteLLM virtual keys](../virtual_keys.md) and the [MCP gateway reference](../../mcp.md).

## Related pages

- [Claude Desktop (GUI)](https://docs.litellm.ai/docs/proxy/client_setup/claude_desktop.md)
- [Codex (CLI)](https://docs.litellm.ai/docs/proxy/client_setup/codex_cli.md)